Everton’s summer recruitment plans are taking shape. The midfield engine room, already bolstered by the arrivals of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Merlin Rohl last summer, is now attracting further attention as the club looks to build long-term depth ahead of a potential European campaign next season.
One name has emerged as a primary target. The 23-year-old Italian left Chelsea for Torino in February 2025 and has since established himself as one of Serie A’s most promising midfield talents, earning his first senior Italy call-up in the process.
Why Everton are targeting Casadei
According to Sports Boom, Everton have identified Cesare Casadei as a “primary target” for the summer window, driven by a clear tactical rationale. The report notes that Everton’s midfield lacks the kind of “aerial dominance and combative” profile that Casadei provides.
ALSO READ: David Moyes desperate to tie Vitalii Mykolenko to new deal, no agreement yet
West Ham United have also taken notice. Their scouts have reportedly attended three of Torino’s matches in the last month, filing reports that the player’s physical profile is compatible with the Premier League’s high-intensity tempo. The transfer could command £40m+ this summer.
The financial hurdles and competition
Torino hold a strong negotiating position. Casadei’s contract runs until June 2029, and the club are expected to open negotiations in the €35m-€40m range. A sell-on clause included in the initial agreement with Chelsea is the main motivation for Torino to maintain a high asking price.
If Everton or West Ham submits an offer in the £40m-£45m bracket, a figure most Serie A clubs cannot match, a return to England becomes the most likely path. Casadei’s experience in the UK with Chelsea, Reading and Leicester City significantly strengthens this possibility.
The 23-year-old has made 20 appearances in Serie A this season, starting 14, and has scored two goals. At the 2023 Under-20 World Cup, he won both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot as Italy reached the final.
For Everton, European qualification would change everything. It would signal genuine progress and provide the financial flexibility to compete for targets like Casadei. Whether the club’s summer budget stretches to a deal of that magnitude will depend partly on what happens between now and May. But the interest is genuine, the player fits the profile, and the groundwork is being laid.
